Final answer:
Both Timur and Mehmed II promoted cultural assimilation to some extent, but they differed in their approach to religious tolerance and governance of conquered cities.
Step-by-step explanation:
In some ways, the actions of Timur and Mehmed II toward conquered cities were similar, while in other ways they were different.
One similarity is that both leaders promoted cultural assimilation to a certain extent. Timur, for example, would seize artisans and others who might be of use to him and send them to his capital in Samarkand. Similarly, Mehmed II would encourage cultural exchange and bring Greek and Roman scholars and artists to Istanbul.
A difference between the two leaders is their approach to religious tolerance. Timur favored religious tolerance and allowed the people in his conquered cities to practice their own religions. On the other hand, Mehmed II was more strict and imposed Islamic rule and customs on the cities he conquered.
Another difference is in their military strategies and governance. While both leaders were skilled strategists in warfare, Timur focused more on looting the riches of the defeated cities and destabilizing the region, allowing most places he conquered to regain their independence. Mehmed II, however, aimed to maintain control over the cities he conquered and implemented centralized governance systems.